Monday 16th June, 2014             1330

Despite protestations from Kevin and a cunning plan by yours truly involving pointing out that if we signed the contracts we had already been given and Kevin’s assistant took them to the FAO, hence making it easier for her, it was an early start this morning. We were due to meet the FAO at 0810 - a time lately I have not been conscious for. It was only after I made the suggestion that it dawned on me we only had the English version and of course the contract is in both languages. Anyway, we have to sign three copies so that was the end of that idea.

I arrived exactly on time, Kevin came late, arriving 10 yards behind the FAO and her child who were also late. Typical. The FAO was at pains to point out she doesn’t start work until nine. Sadly her English is extremely limited or I would have pointed out that had she had some gumption this could have been done last week and anyway she set the time and not us but she wouldn’t have understood so I contented myself with retorting that on Mondays I don’t start until 1020. However, the worry is now lifted and unless anything catastrophic happens, that’s it for another - possibly final - year here.

The South Korean teacher Park is leaving on Wednesday. Considering the current contract ends 30th June it is early by any standards but apparently that’s the arrangement with the opposite school in Korea. Ollivier opined that it was wrong that the school wasn’t going to take her to Hefei airport (3 hours drive from here) and that her plane was at 1130 Wednesday morning.  He said it meant he would have to drive there and back. The school only ever picks foreign teachers up from the airport if it’s their first time (after that you are on your own) and they never take you when you leave. I suggested that she should do what I would, which is take the bus on Tuesday, book a hotel in Hefei for the night and then go to the airport in the morning. Lord knows she has saved enough money, it’s not as if she spends that much - although it would seem she does like the odd can of beer with the students she invites to her home for dinner. Somehow I think Olllivier will be missing in action on Wednesday.

This week is the start of my final working week for this academic year. Thankfully this morning was just a film and this afternoon just twelve students left in the class to test so not too arduous.  

Tuesday                             2000

Well Park actually left at lunchtime today, presumably doing what I said I would do. At least that way she gets a relaxing night in an hotel and in the morning will be within strike distance of the airport. Fair play to her, she made a point of coming and saying goodbye to Kevin and me and as it happens, in a way I will miss her next year.

This afternoon I swear I encountered a case of “ringing” in my exam. I have no proof of course and it could be just a misunderstanding due to language barriers plus, without my demanding ID cards every time there is no way I can remember two hundred students names (or even faces) over a three week exam period. Definitely food for thought and which next year I will ensure doesn’t happen. If indeed it did this time.

Yvonne, who was coming this Friday to stay until Tuesday is now not doing so. Instead she wants to come  in early July but for five nights so I shall settle for that. This afternoon I also found a student who is staying the entire holiday here so unless I can find another it looks like she will be my lodger, cleaner and cat sitter for the duration.

As for the shall I/shan’t I new bike situation, Kevin threw a spanner in the works this evening. He told me of a street I am unfamiliar with where there are loads of bike shops and some of them sell e-cars along with little e-vans and suchlike. I have no idea what they cost but I will certainly find out. I could keep the bike for the summer but have a car for cold ands rainy days. No heater mind, but no icy wind either and from what I have read they are as fast as my bike and will travel 160km instead of sixty on a single charge. One of those would open up a whole new world of possibilities. I may well go to check the street out tomorrow if I am not as tired as I was today.